updated 08:45 am EDT, Tue August 7, 2007

MS Confirms X360 Price Cut

Microsoft today officially validated its Xbox 360 price cuts with word of price drops across all three models. The central Xbox 360 Pro -- now just labeled the Xbox 360 -- sees the largest drop, shrinking in price from its original $400 launch price to $350. The high-end Xbox 360 Elite receives a more modest cut from $480 to $450, Microsoft says. A small price cut will also apply to the Core model, which drops by $20 to $280. Pricing has also been revealed for the limited-run Halo 3 Edition console, which adds a custom look as well as a play-and-charge kit and specialized Halo 3 content for $400.

All price cuts take effect as of tomorrow and are deliberately timed just days ahead of the August 14th release of Madden 08, Microsoft says. The continued presence of the basic Core model appears to contradict rumors of its imminent removal from the Xbox 360 lineup, which had been prompted in part by its relatively low sales compared to the hard drive-equipped standard and Elite versions.